At the library: Veterans Day, military families and more

Carol Reinhardt

By Carol Reinhardt

Published: Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 08:15 PM.

Veterans Day is the official U.S. holiday honoring those who have served in our armed forces. As a federal holiday observed on Nov. 11, it coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.

World War I hostilities were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.

When President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed that Armistice Day was to be observed on Nov. 11, 1919, Wilson said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude ...”

Seven years later, Congress passed a resolution requesting the designation of an annual American Armistice Day, which eventually evolved to become what we now know and observe each Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.

This month, as we honor our military veterans for their service and sacrifice during our nation’s history, I would like to remind our Gaston County citizens of Gaston County Public Library resources relating to American veterans and their service as well as information about support for current military families and dependents.

Addressing contemporary concerns of military families and dependents, library patrons can again access at “Research Guides” / “A to Z Index” on our website, then select “Military Families: Information and Support.”

Veterans Day is the official U.S. holiday honoring those who have served in our armed forces. As a federal holiday observed on Nov. 11, it coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.

World War I hostilities were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.

When President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed that Armistice Day was to be observed on Nov. 11, 1919, Wilson said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude ...”

Seven years later, Congress passed a resolution requesting the designation of an annual American Armistice Day, which eventually evolved to become what we now know and observe each Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.

This month, as we honor our military veterans for their service and sacrifice during our nation’s history, I would like to remind our Gaston County citizens of Gaston County Public Library resources relating to American veterans and their service as well as information about support for current military families and dependents.

Addressing contemporary concerns of military families and dependents, library patrons can again access at “Research Guides” / “A to Z Index” on our website, then select “Military Families: Information and Support.”

On that webpage, you can find general information (including links to the National Military Family Association, MilitaryOneSource – a free government information program for soldiers and their families – and the U.S. Department of Defense Community Relations service, plus the North Carolina National Guard website) as well as a listing of recommended print materials such as “Military Mental Health Care: A Guide for Service Members, Veterans, Families and Community.”

Our Gaston County Public Library collection also includes helpful books for all ages, including both fiction and nonfiction titles for children – such as “My Hero: Military Kids Write About Their Moms and Dads” and “I Miss You: A Military Kid’s Book About Deployment” – as well as print materials addressing such adult issues as military marriages, adjusting to military life, loss, and post-deployment life.

We would also like to remind Gaston County residents about the many services offered to veterans and their dependents by the Gaston County Department of Veterans Services, headed by Kirk Geske with the able assistance of three staff members. Located at 965 Roberts Drive in Gastonia, the Veterans Services Office was created following World War II to assist veterans and their families with claims for all benefits to which they are entitled under federal, state and local law.

All services provided by the Veterans Service Office are free to veterans and their families. For additional information about veterans’ services, email VeteransServices@co.gaston.nc.us or call 704-866-3606.

For more information about Gaston County Public Library services, resources and activities, call 704-868-2164 or visit our website at www.gastonlibrary.org.

Carol Reinhardt is program coordinator for the Gaston County Public Library.